Celebrating New School Buildings

SPS New Buildings Now Open

Posted on 09/08/2017

Celebrating New School Buildings

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is starting the new 2017-18 school year by opening several new and modernized buildings. Approved by Seattle voters through the Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) capital levy in 2013, the new buildings meet community needs for capacity while the unique planning, design, and architecture of each school creates positive learning space. Combined, all of these elements create the best educational experience for students.

Capacity

SPS is a growing district in a rapidly growing city. In the last 10 years, the district has welcomed 8,000 new students, while according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Seattle is the fastest-growing big city in the nation.

These new facilities add more than 2,800 new classroom seats. In addition, we have added 500 seats in portable classrooms across the district and fit 1,100 new seats into existing buildings. SPS also added 227 classrooms to meet enrollment and K-3 class-size reduction requirements.

Creating Positive Learning Space and Eliminating Opportunity Gaps

The district’s goal for every building project is to meet capital needs while, at the same time, creating environments that enhance students’ educational experiences. Incorporating planning input from students, staff, and families, architects design every auditorium, gymnasium, cafeteria, hallway, and classroom with teaching and learning in mind while SPS engineers and construction crews put it all together. It is a process that results in learning spaces that directly support and nurture the district’s goal of providing equitable education for all students and eliminating opportunity gaps.

Learn a Little More about the Schools!

Edmond S. Meany Middle School

Housed in the heart of the central region since 1902, Meany Middle School’s vision is to develop a community of lifelong learners that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and values required for innovative global citizenship. The new educational spaces live up to this vision including a library with giant opening doors that invite students in and create a sense of welcome.

Olympic Hills Elementary School

Olympic Hills Elementary serves a rich and diverse population of students, representing 30 different countries and 18 different languages and with renovations will now seat close to 660 students. The school’s vision is to prepare children to become contributing members of society with a strong sense of self-worth and creativity.

Cascadia Elementary School

The vision of Cascadia Elementary is to inspire advanced learners to be independent thinkers and use their peers, teachers, and surrounding resources in their pursuit of learning. The new building will seat close to 660 students. Key design features of Cascadia that directly support their vision include classroom wings that optimize daylighting in the classrooms, shared learning commons where students can collaborate, and classrooms for Special Education that are integrated within learning wings to provide equitable access.

Licton Springs K-8 School

Licton Springs K-8 is a creative, holistic, experiential learning environment that nurtures respect, self-discovery and integrity, while combining a Native-centered curriculum. Licton Spring, a historically important spring to the Duwamish people, flows underneath the building site. The school is housed inside the Robert Eagle Staff building. Key design features that support the mission and vision of the school include an Honor Circle to celebrate the history of the building site as well as the cultural significance of Licton Springs to Native Americans, groups of classrooms that are configured around shared learning commons, and a library that includes multiple spaces for large and small groups.

Robert Eagle Staff Middle School

Robert Eagle Staff Middle is named for beloved Native American educator Robert Eagle Staff who served as principal of Indian Heritage High School from 1989-1996. The building will provide seats for close to 1,000 students. A few key design features that support the legacy and vision of the school include a courtyard lined with carefully preserved and reinstalled Native American murals, a central synthetic turf playfield with a walking track as well as soccer and softball fields that will also serve community athletics, and vocal and instrumental music rooms that are supported by several smaller practice rooms.

Long Legacy of Supporting Excellence in Education

This year marks 150 years since SPS moved into their own school space. During the district’s first years, SPS was located inside buildings owned by the University of Washington. In 1867, that public school moved to what was then the County Building in downtown Seattle. In the decades since, our community has been supporting public education and ensuring students have excellent school buildings and learning environments.